Availability (price range €612 - €648):
An excellent fare to a less commonly discounted Philippine destination with Qatar Airways, but the long journeys and overnight Doha connections reduce the overall comfort.
Strong value to Davao with a premium airline, but prepare for two very long travel days
Return flights from Zurich to Davao are available from CHF 564 with Qatar Airways, including cabin and checked baggage.
This is a highly competitive price for Davao, a destination that appears far less frequently in European flight sales than Manila, Cebu or other major Southeast Asian gateways.
Qatar Airways is one of the strongest parts of the deal. Its long-haul service, onboard entertainment and Doha transfer experience should make the journey more comfortable than many similarly priced alternatives.
The trade-off is the routing. The outbound journey takes 22 hours 25 minutes and includes two stops: a four-hour connection in Doha and a short 1-hour 30-minute connection in Cebu.
The return is simpler, with only one stop in Doha, but still takes 22 hours 35 minutes. The main weakness is the six-hour Doha connection from 03:30 until 09:30, following the overnight flight from Davao.
The outbound Doha connection also falls during sleeping hours, running from 23:10 until 03:10. Travellers should therefore expect disrupted rest during both journeys, despite the high quality of the airline.
The outbound Doha connection runs from 23:10 until 03:10. The return connection is longer, running from 03:30 until 09:30.
Travellers should expect disrupted sleep and several hours inside the terminal during both journeys. The return wait is especially tiring because it follows the overnight Davao–Doha flight.
The outbound also includes a short 1-hour 30-minute connection in Cebu. Confirm whether passengers remain on the aircraft or must disembark, and check whether any additional transit procedure is required.
Before paying, verify the exact baggage allowance, operating aircraft, terminals, fare conditions and that every sector is included on one protected Qatar Airways ticket.
Best for: price-focused travellers, longer trips to the Philippines, Mindanao itineraries and passengers who value airline quality but can tolerate long travel days.
Less ideal for: families with young children, older travellers, short holidays or anyone who struggles with overnight airport connections.
Dino’s booking advice: compare the cheapest online travel agency fare with the price directly on Qatar Airways. When the difference is modest, booking with the airline is usually the better option for a complex itinerary involving multiple sectors.
Need help finding the best flight for your trip?
For €15, Dino can personally research flight options for your trip — including alternative routes, nearby airports, baggage rules, layovers, airline quality and possible hidden costs.
Where to stay in Davao: affordable apartments make an excellent home base
Davao City can be a very affordable base for exploring Mindanao. Travellers can find attractive, well-reviewed apartments from around €30 per night, often with more space and useful facilities than a standard hotel room.
When travelling as a couple, that works out at only €15 per person per night. Combined with the competitive flight fare, this can keep the overall cost of a longer Philippines trip surprisingly manageable.
An apartment can be particularly practical for stays of more than a few nights. Many options include a kitchen or kitchenette, refrigerator, washing machine and separate living area, helping travellers reduce restaurant and laundry expenses during a longer journey.
Keeping an affordable apartment in Davao can also work well if you plan several short trips around the region. You can leave part of your luggage safely at your main accommodation while travelling with a smaller bag to nearby islands, beaches or inland destinations.
Davao is a useful starting point for exploring places such as Samal Island, Mount Apo and other parts of Mindanao. Depending on your itinerary, it may be sensible to spend a few nights in the city, travel elsewhere for several days and then return before your flight home.
When choosing an apartment, check the exact neighbourhood, recent cleanliness reviews, building security and transport access. A property near restaurants, shopping centres or the main roads can make daily travel much easier in a large and spread-out city.
Dino tip: compare the final price carefully. Some apartments may add cleaning fees, security deposits or electricity charges. Also confirm whether the property has reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning, hot water and flexible check-in arrangements before booking.
Search and compare accommodation in Davao →Sample apartments were found from around €30 per night. Prices and availability can change. Confirm the final total, cleaning charges, exact location, recent reviews, included facilities, cancellation conditions and building security before booking.
Complete Your Trip
Flights and accommodation are the big pieces — now make the journey smoother. Below are three useful extras for this trip: activities, mobile data and airport transfers.
Find tours, day trips, food experiences and activities to make this trip more memorable. A useful place to compare things to do before you travel.
Land with mobile data ready and avoid searching for SIM cards or relying on airport Wi-Fi. A simple option for staying connected while travelling.
A useful option for airport transfers, especially when arriving late, travelling with luggage, or landing somewhere unfamiliar for the first time.
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